When moving within the U.S. feels like going from Morocco to Finland [The Culture Guy Podcast]

Melissa Hahn shares how the question of identity can shape a relationship between partners from different cultures.

She also describes how the geographical distance within one country can equal that of the opposite ends of a continent. Born and raised in Arizona, Melissa has had many opportunities to travel and live abroad and to experience other cultures. However, the first time she moved it was within the United States: From her home in the hot desert climate of the Southwest to the sometimes brutal cold of the State of Minnesota, in the upper Midwest of the country. She has been to more than 20 countries around the globe, lived and studied in Poland, and now, back in her home state, Melissa works as a cultural consultant and author. During this interview Melissa shares her experience of living in a mixed-culture relationship. While she hails from a European-American, Protestant background, Melissa’s husband Mike has Korean and European-American parents with a Catholic and Buddhist upbringing.

Becoming aware of your and your partner’s identity

During her interview with Christian Melissa points out that in an intercultural relationship both partners should understand the importance of cultural identity: “Be aware that both of you ‘have a culture’.” While she finds it okay to initially not know very much about the partner’s ethnic, societal, linguistic, behavioral, and cultural background, there should be a mutual interest in finding out about each other’s traditions as much as possible.

How you can win a prize and become the next guest on The Culture Guy Podcast by sharing your story

Together with our friend Carmen Ring we created two contests. The first one already happened on Carmen’s website and the winner of that contest will be featured on the podcast in the near future.
The second contest starts right here: Send in your story about why you want to take your business or your project abroad. What drives you to take your product or service to markets outside your linguistic and cultural home?
The best story will win a translation of their short-form bio (1 page) into Spanish or French from Carmen’s company, Best Interpreting. Submit your story before May 31st, 2017. The winner will be announced on a future episode of the podcast.

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